Episode 09

I’m not a fan of unfocused people.

 

When I heard that, I could only think of one thing. I fell asleep in my office last night. You didn’t like it after all.

 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you by waking you up.”

 

He looked like he didn’t know what that meant. I added.

 

“It won’t happen again, but if I do, just let it go. I can get up and go on my own.”

 

He burst out laughing.

 

“Haha, I said something.”

 

Why is he laughing? Wasn’t he talking about yesterday?” He said it with an amused expression.

 

“I didn’t think you were going to wake up, seeing as how you didn’t wake up when I pressed your cheek firmly.”

 

“Cheeks?” I can’t believe he’s so grumpy about someone needing a little sleep.

 

The smile slowly faded from his face.

 

“I’m not talking about your sleep; I’m talking about your dreams.”

 

“If it was a dream…”

 

“Don’t you remember?”

 

It’s faint. All I know is that I worked myself to death in the lab.

 

“Not much.”

 

“Not much. You sound comfortable.”

 

“Did I swear in my sleep?”

 

“I doubt it, but I’d rather you swear.”

 

He smiled bitterly and turned to look out the window. His eyes squinted in the morning sunlight.

 

A narrowed brow, a straight, high bridge of the nose, and cheeks tinged with a hint of blue. He looked like you could poke him with a needle and not draw a drop of blood. His face was uncharacteristically troubled.

 

He turned to me again and said something I didn’t expect at all.

 

“I don’t care who you’ve been seeing outside, and if someone is waiting for you to leave the palace, I don’t care about that either.”

 

“What?”

 

“I only want one thing: I want you to focus on our relationship, at least while you’re my wife.”

 

He reached for my hand and took it.

 

“Physically.”

 

He kissed the back of my hand lightly.

 

“Mentally.”

 

“…….”

 

“I wanted to tell you this, Livia.”

 

In an instant, I pulled my hand from his. Without realizing it.

 

It wasn’t because of Leto’s rambling words. I think he misunderstood that I had a boyfriend, but that doesn’t change anything. I don’t feel the need to explain.

 

He didn’t even kiss the back of my hand, though I was a little taken aback. It’s a common courtesy in this world.

 

What surprised me was that he referred to me as his wife.

 

Suddenly, I realized what I had only understood in my head.

 

I was married to this man. It was different from being an empress. It felt more intimate and dangerous.

 

I wonder if he realizes how his words make me feel.

 

‘…He doesn’t know. He wouldn’t do this if he did.’

 

I said, trying to remain calm.

 

“Of course I’m focused; you don’t have to worry about that.”

 

“Good, then, and have a great day.”

 

Leto stepped back and held the door to his office open for me. I nodded once and stepped into the office.

 

I heard Leto’s voice behind me.

 

“Oh, and by the way, It wasn’t a hassle at all.”

 

I turned around. At least I won’t have to go through that trouble in the future, I was about to say.

 

But the door was already closed.

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

A few days passed. I’m used to the hectic pace of palace life.

 

This morning, fahram’s request for an alchemist came in. I accepted.

 

On the night of the Founding Festival, I spoke to Leto. I told Leto that I would concoct a medicine to cure Fahram of his illness.

 

 

 

 

 

Sooner or later, Fahram will come to help you.

 

 

 

 

 

I had forgotten for a while, getting used to the palace. Yes, it was time to show my usefulness.

 

It was a fine afternoon. Fahram and I had tea in the garden.

 

His skin was looking much better. I hadn’t realized it because it was covered in dead skin. He was handsome in a gentle way. Of course, the rash was still there.

 

“Your skin is much improved,” I said.

 

“I wash myself with tea tree every day. I owe my survival to the grace of the Empress. Thank you. Your Majesty.”

 

Fahram smiled wryly. It was certainly cause for celebration. But the tea tree was only a band-aid. It was time to find a more permanent solution.

 

“Ser Fahram. I’ve had my knights watch the perimeter to make sure no one overhears our conversation.”

 

“Aye. Understood.”

 

Fahram tensed slightly. I spoke in a soft voice.

 

“So trust me and tell me honestly, what kind of abilities does your lord have?”

 

“What?”

 

“His Majesty says he’ll help me make the medicine, and it’s not just because he’s a loyalist.”

 

He couldn’t have sent fahram to be a mere henchman. He must have some plausible abilities.

 

Fahram took a shaky breath.

 

“Yes, sir. Your Majesty, I will trust you with this.”

 

I nodded. He leaned toward me.

 

“Actually, I have a small laboratory in the basement of the mansion.”

 

“A laboratory?”

 

“Yes. I’ve been interested in science and medicine for a long time, so I used to get foreign books through illegal channels and do experiments.”

 

“Aren’t such experiments impossible without the permission of the High Priestess?”

 

“Sneakily, of course.”

 

He smirked. It didn’t look like it, but he was secretly proud.

 

“I’m curious as to why you were so insistent on experimenting.”

 

“Well, they say it’s the job of the goddesses to deal with ‘life,’ but for some reason, I wondered if humans could do the same thing. It’s not so much a belief as a curiosity, haha.”

 

I can see why Leto assigned Fahram to me, given his scientific temperament.

 

“I assume His Majesty is aware of this.”

 

“Yes. Not only does he know, he secretly supports it.”

 

“You have Leto’s backing, huh? Then there’s no need to hesitate. It’s time to get to the point.

 

“Lord Fahram. I’m trying to create a medicine that will heal his skin.”

 

“Yes. The Emperor has already heard of it. I don’t know what to thank you for, Your Majesty.”

 

I smiled at him.

 

“I think you should just thank me for helping me.”

 

“Of course. I will help you in any way I can.”

 

His eyes shone with eagerness. I asked him.

 

“Aren’t you afraid of the High Priest? You’ve been through a lot with the High Priest.”

 

“Not at all,” he replied, “the only thing I’ve lost to those crooks is the division. It’s not just me, but many who suffer from this disease are accused of being cursed, especially the commoners.”

 

I can see why. The cause of psoriasis is unclear. But it’s more likely to affect commoners than nobles. They live in harsher conditions.

 

“If the king does make medicine, he could save a lot of people.”

 

“If that’s the case, then I’d like to start looking for the ingredients.”

 

“Yes, Your Majesty. What do you suggest I do?”

 

“You should start by looking through the flora because it’s easiest to extract medicinal ingredients from plants.”

 

The ingredient in the psoriasis medicine is called cordyceps. In the original language, it’s indigo. First, we need to see if there is indigo in the world.

 

Fahram was stumped.

 

“There’s a botanical atlas in the imperial library, but it doesn’t list all the plants. Ancient scholars started to compile it, but it was stopped by the temple authorities.”

 

I was prepared for that. Still, it’s best to start with existing sources. As all research begins,.

 

“Do you think I could see the book?”

 

“You’ll have to go to the classified section of the library. We can’t take it out; you’ll have to come and see it.”

 

“Then I’ll go, now.”

 

I jumped to my feet. There was no time to waste.

 

 

 

 

 

The Imperial Library was at the top of the Central Academy building. As I climbed the stairs, Fahram spoke up.

 

“Your Majesty, with all due respect, may I ask you a question?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“The pharmaceutical knowledge you have now… did you come to know it through the power of the goddess?”

 

It was a question worth asking, especially for someone like Fahram.

 

“If I told you yes, would you be skeptical?”

 

“Oh, no, of course not; I’m not.”

 

Fahram stood tall.

 

“I believe in the Empress because even if she has the grace of the goddess, it is she who makes the medicine.”

 

I can see why Leto likes Fahram. He never questions his master. Nothing short of pure loyalty.

 

The classified stacks were at the very back of the library. Fahram quietly asked the librarian, who stood guard before it.

 

“Is anyone in there?”

 

“No. No one is here.”

 

He held out a silver coin to the librarian.

 

“Her Majesty the Empress wishes to see the book in silence. Do you understand what I mean?”

 

“Of course I do. Please enter.”

 

The librarian slipped the silver coin into her sleeve and unlocked the wooden grate door. We stepped inside. The smell of book dust wafted in.

 

I turned to fahram.

 

“Not just anyone can get into the classified library. Can I just give you money?”

 

Fahram waved his hand as if to say no.

 

“The palace isn’t that corrupt, and I have the Emperor’s permission to come and go as I please. When he paid the librarian, he meant to keep others out.”

 

Good thing, then. Nothing good could come of being seen looking at a botanical atlas, especially by the High Priestess.

 

fahram pulled out a botanical atlas. It was ridiculously thin for a botany book. We stood in front of the standing table to look at it.

 

“I’ll bring paper and a pen, just in case.”

 

“Please, Sir Fahram.”

Fahram went somewhere with busy steps. I opened the book.

 

There were pictures of plants in the book. I was relieved. In this world, indigo might be called something else.

 

 

 

 

 

I wondered how much time had passed.

 

Jab, jab, jab…

 

The footsteps were careful. I thought it was fahram, but it didn’t feel right. I looked up.

 

He wasn’t Fahram. A handsome, blond man. A man looked at me with light brown eyes.

 

Most of all, he was wearing a priest’s clothes.

 

“A priest, why are you here?”

 

“It is my pleasure to meet you, Empress.”

 

He bowed, his gaze darting to the book. I asked him.

 

“I thought there was no one here.”

 

“There are many ways to get in, not necessarily through the door.”

 

The priest smiled broadly. There was not a hint of nervousness in the presence of the Empress. A strange man. And… familiar.

 

“And what is your name, priest?”

 

“It is an honor. Her Majesty asks me my name.”

 

“I asked what your name is.”

 

He replied, smiling.

 

“Dante. Dante Hamelson.”

 

Dante. I remembered.

 

Dante was the High Priest of the High Priestess and the High Priestess’s apprentice, meaning he was the High Priestess’s closest confidant.